Granted, I've not yet seen much of what Colorado has to offer, but if this route is any indication of what I will see, I'm in for a fascinating summer.

The San Juan Skyway Loop is a full-circle highway surrounding the San Juan National Forest. My journey started in the town of Dolores, heading north toward the well-known ski resort town of Telluride on the Highway 145.

The Dolores River peeked out now and then, always to my right, as I meandered along the well-paved two-lane road past lucious green pastures and mountainsides thick with aspens and evergreens. Though the road continues, my final destination was Telluride. At some point this summer, I will travel the north side of Telluride over to Ouray.

The pictures on this page were taken along Highway 145. A link will be provided for pictures taken of Telluride. Also, another page of pictures will be of the "other side" of the San Juan Loop, Highway 550 also known as the Million Dollar Highway, from Durango to Ouray. Just follow the links!

A story: Also, near the Priest Gulch area, I whizzed past this little piece of land filled with yellow wildflowers (left). It was so pretty, I turned the car around to get a picture. A sign there said "Tenderfoot Trail." So, I felt okay about taking off up the trail except that it appeared to be on someone's land, and I wasn't sure whether to park on the road or in the area that appeared to be their private property. A lady and her son happened to be out in the yard, so I asked them where I should park while I walked up a small part of the trail. They said I was fine where I was.

The lady, wearing a long gray and neatly braided pony tail and high rubber boots told me she was getting ready to bring the cows out of winter pasture into spring pasture. She was headed up the trail, so I asked if I would be in the way. She appeared to welcome me along, but quickly forgot I was there.

Without warning, she started yelling to a particular cow, I guess the leader of the herd. And within the minute, a big 'ol fat cow comes lumbering down the side of the hill. Behind it are close to a dozen others of all colors, including a couple calves that couldn't have been a month old. The lady, who seemed to fit the name Nellie, continued hollering, calling and coaxing the cows into a holding area. Once they were all there - and counted - she opened the gate to a larger pasture...the summer pasture.

I watched as she expertly and with great confidence moved among the cows, slapping them on the rears to get them to move along. Her son, a dog and a large burly guy stayed behind to direct any strays.

It was, for me, an unexpected treat that could have been lost had I not turned around. Yep, the journey is the destination.